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Accra, Sept. 27, GNA - Members of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), have announced their collective resignation from the Commission.

The Commission’s Chairman, Professor Kwesi Botchway, made the announcement when he led members of the NDPC to present a draft 40-year National Development Plan to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at the Flagstaff House, in Accra, on Tuesday.

Prof Botchway said the move was to enable the Government to re-compose the Commission.

“We, as a Commission, chaired by me, will like to collectively stand down, bring our tenure as a Commission to a close,” he said.

Prof Botchway said the handing over of the document, which took two years to put together, signaled the end of their work at the Commission.

He, however, explained that the decision was not informed by any of Ghana’s statutes, but was to give the President, the free will to direct the Commission to reflect his agenda for the country.

Commending the Commission members for the meritorious service to Ghana, President Akufo-Addo said, “I am aware that each and every one of you, the members of the Commission, have made significant input into this document.

“Your experience and knowledge have no doubt been brought to bear in the drafting of the document. I wish, again, to thank you all for the contribution you have made.”

He stated that: “The plan presents my government and, subsequent, governments with a daunting task, not so much the implementation, but to stay on track and ensure that we have the desired outcome.

“We must be able to monitor our progress, and redirect our paths when we seem to be deviating from them.”

The President said Ghana should have been further along in its national life, as was the case with other countries that gained independence around the time Ghana did.

He declared: “We must, therefore, make rapid progress, and do things to ensure that we achieve it.”

He expressed the hope that Ghana would build a strong, buoyant economy that would provide decent jobs, tangible benefits, good education, better healthcare system, rule of law and security for all, during his tenure.

He expressed optimism that the NDPC Plan would be in tandem with his vision and priorities for Ghana, saying, “We all agree that we must build a Ghana Beyond Aid.”

The President, however, disclosed that his Government had completed its Coordinated Programme of Economic and Social Development Policies ahead of the constitutionally mandated period and would submit it for consideration should Parliament reconvene next week.

“This time, we have worked to ensure it is completed within the first year of my tenure of office,” he stated. “Cabinet has approved it for submission to Parliament.

He wished the Commission members well in their future endeavours, saying he appreciated their collective decision, which was made without compulsion of law.

“It is a mark of high patriotism and I am grateful for it, he stated.”